Display device including a crack detecting line

ABSTRACT

A display device including: a substrate including a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area positioned at a periphery of the display area; a plurality of pixels positioned at the display area; a plurality of data lines connected with the plurality of pixels; and a crack detecting line positioned at the non-display area, wherein the crack detecting line includes: a plurality of unit connectors extending in a first direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to an extending direction of a side of the substrate nearest to the unit connectors; and a plurality of wiring portion units connected to each other through the plurality of unit connectors, wherein the number of wiring portion units is an even number.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/465,862 filed on Mar. 22, 2017, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0106298, filed onAug. 22, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device, and moreparticularly, to detecting a crack in the display device.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Currently, display devices may change from a flat form to a flexibleform. In a manufacturing process of the display device, if a crack isgenerated, moisture or other foreign particles may enter a display areaof the display device. The moisture or other foreign particles may causea defect in the display device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a display device comprising: a substrate comprising a displayarea for displaying an image and a non-display area positioned at aperiphery of the display area; a plurality of pixels positioned at thedisplay area; a plurality of data lines connected with the plurality ofpixels; and a crack detecting line positioned at the non-display area,wherein the crack detecting line comprises: a plurality of unitconnectors extending in a first direction, wherein the first directionis parallel to an extending direction of a side of the substrate nearestto the unit connectors; and a plurality of wiring portion unitsconnected to each other through the plurality of unit connectors,wherein the number of wiring portion units is an even number.

The plurality of wiring portion units comprise a plurality of returnwiring portions connected to each other, and the plurality of returnwiring portions comprise a plurality of bridge portions extending in thefirst direction.

The plurality of return wiring portions comprise a plurality ofconnecting portions connecting the plurality of bridge portions, whereinthe connecting portions are shorter than the plurality of bridgeportions.

The crack detecting line is connected with a first data line among theplurality of data lines.

The crack detecting line is connected with the first data line through afirst connector and a second connector, and the first data line isconnected with the plurality of pixels between a portion of the crackdetecting line connected with the first connector and a portion of thecrack detecting line connected with the second connector.

The crack detecting line surrounds the display area.

A first interval between the plurality of return wiring portions islarger than a second interval between the plurality of wiring portionunits.

The plurality of bridge portions have a same length as each other.

The first interval between the plurality of return wiring portions issubstantially constant.

Each of the plurality of wiring portion units comprises an equal numberof return wiring portion units.

At least one of the plurality of bridge portions has a bent shape alonga corner of the substrate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a display device comprising: a substrate comprising a displayarea for displaying an image and a non-display area positioned at aperiphery of the display area; a plurality of pixels positioned at thedisplay area; a plurality of data lines connected with the plurality ofpixels; and a crack detecting line positioned at the non-display area,wherein the crack detecting line comprises: a plurality of bridgeportions extending in a direction not parallel to a first direction,wherein the first direction is parallel to an extending direction of aside of the substrate that is nearest to the bridge portions; and aplurality of return wiring portions comprising a plurality of connectingportions connecting the plurality of bridge portions.

The crack detecting line is connected with a first data line among theplurality of data lines.

The plurality of connecting portions are shorter than the plurality ofbridge portions.

The crack detecting line is connected with the first data line through afirst connector and a second connector, and the first data line isconnected with the plurality of pixels between a portion of the crackdetecting line connected with the first connector and a portion of thecrack detecting line connected with the second connector.

The crack detecting line surrounds the display area.

The plurality of bridge portions have a same length as each other.

The first interval between the plurality of return wiring portions issubstantially constant.

The plurality of bridge portions extend in a direction forming an angleof about 90 degrees or about 45 degrees with the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement of a crackdetecting line in a display device according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area P of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of a signal of a display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are each schematic views showing a crack detectingline of a display device according to a comparative example.

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 are each schematic views showing acrack detecting line of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is tobe understood, however, that the described embodiments may be modifiedin various different ways, all without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Like reference numerals may designate like elements throughout thepresent disclosure.

Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component illustrated in thedrawings may be exaggerated for better understanding and ease ofdescription, but the present inventive concept is not limited to thedrawings.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, itmay be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent.

First, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG.1 is a circuit diagram of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan viewillustrating an arrangement of a crack detecting line in a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area P of FIG. 2.

The display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is formed on a substrate SUB, and the substrate SUB includes adisplay area DA including a plurality of pixels R, G, and B, and anon-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA. The display areaDA is an area for displaying an image, and the non-display area NDA isan area in which diodes and/or wires for generating and/or transportingvarious signals applied to the display area DA are disposed.

The substrate SUB of the display device according to the presentexemplary embodiment may be an insulation substrate that may include,for example, glass, a polymer, and the like, or may be a metallicsubstrate that may include, for example, stainless steel and the like.The substrate SUB may be flexible, stretchable, foldable, bendable, orrollable. For example, the substrate SUB may be provided as a flexiblefilm type that may include a resin such as a polyimide.

The display area DA of the substrate SUB includes a plurality of pixelsR, G, and B. The pixel is a minimum unit for displaying an image, forexample.

The display device according to the present exemplary embodimentincludes a plurality of signal lines connected with the plurality ofpixels R, G, and B. At least some of the plurality of signal lines maybe positioned in the non-display area NDA of the substrate SUB.

The plurality of signal lines may include a first test gate lineTEST_GATE, a second test gate line DC_GATE, a plurality of data lines D,a first test signal line TEST_DATA1, a plurality of second test signallines CLA, CLB, and CLC, a first crack detecting line CD1, and a secondcrack detecting line CD2.

A first switch Q1 may be positioned in the non-display area NDA of thesubstrate SUB. The control terminal of the first switch Q1 may beconnected with the first test gate line TEST_GATE, and an input terminalof the first switch Q1 may be connected with the first test signal lineTEST_DATA1. An output terminal of the first switch Q1 may be connectedwith the data line D. The output terminal of the first switch Q1 may beconnected with a plurality of data lines D.

A second switch Q2 may be positioned in the non-display area NDA of thesubstrate SUB. The control terminal of the second switch Q2 may beconnected with the second test gate line DC_GATE, and an input terminalmay be connected with a second test signal line CLA, CLB, or CLC. Anoutput terminal of the second switch Q2 may be connected with the dataline D. For example, a first pixel R among a plurality of pixels R, G,and B may be connected with a first-second test signal line CLA throughthe second switch Q2. A second pixel G may be connected with asecond-second test signal line CLB through the second switch Q2, and athird pixel B may be connected with a third-second test signal line CLCthrough the second switch Q2.

The first crack detecting line CD1 and the second crack detecting lineCD2 may be positioned in the non-display area NDA. The first crackdetecting line CD1 and the second crack detecting line CD2 may bepositioned on the same layer as a gate line of the display area DA, andmay include the same material as the gate line. In addition, the firstcrack detecting line CD1 and the second crack detecting line CD2 may bepositioned on the same layer as the data line D of the display area DA,and may include the same material as the data line D.

The first crack detecting line CD1 and the second crack detecting lineCD2 may surround the display area DA. The first crack detecting line CD1and the second crack detecting line CD2 may be positioned in an areabetween a boundary of the display area DA and a side PS of the substrateSUB. In other words, the first crack detecting line CD1 and the secondcrack detecting line CD2 may be positioned in the non-display area NDA.As the first crack detecting line CD1 and the second crack detectingline CD2 occupy more of the non-display area NDA, the area in which acrack may be detected may be broadened. However, the first crackdetecting line CD1 and the second crack detecting line CD2 may bepositioned in an area separated from the plurality of signal lines suchas the first test gate line TEST_GATE, the second test gate lineDC_GATE, the first test signal line TEST_DATA1, and the plurality ofsecond test signal lines CLA, CLB, and CLC in the non-display area NDA.In addition, there may be two first areas A positioned on the substrateSUB. Further, at least one of the first areas A may include constituentelements other than crack detecting lines CD1 and CD2, such as analignment mark, and/or may be positioned in the non-display area NDA ofthe substrate SUB. In addition, the first crack detecting line CD1 andthe second crack detecting line CD2 may also be positioned to avoid thefirst area A. In FIG. 2, the first areas A may be positioned on a leftnon-display area NDA_L and/or a right non-display area NDA_R of thesubstrate SUB, but are not limited thereto. For example, the first areasA may be positioned so that they are facing each other. The first areasA may be positioned on another portion of the substrate SUB according toa design of the display device, and may be positioned in one or moreportions of the substrate SUB. Hereafter, throughout the specification,the terms “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” indicate convenientreferences of positions shown in drawings, but do not mean absolutepositions, and other positions can be “left”, “right”, “upper”, and“lower” according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention inpractice.

The first crack detecting line CD1 is connected with at least one of theplurality of data lines D through a first connector CP1 a and a secondconnector CP1 b. The first crack detecting line CD1 is connected withthe first data line DL1 among the plurality of data lines D, and thefirst data line DL1 is connected with the plurality of pixels positionedbetween the connection of the first data line DL1 and the firstconnector CP1 a and the connection of the first data line DL1 and thesecond connector CP1 b. The first crack detecting line CD1 may beconnected with the first data line DL1 through the first connector CP1 ain an upper non-display area NDA_U of the substrate SUB, and the firstcrack detecting line CD1 may be connected with first data line DL1through the second connector CP1 b in a lower non-display area NDA_D ofthe substrate SUB. The first crack detecting line CD1 extends from thefirst connector CP1 a connected to the first data line DL1, passesthrough the left non-display area NDA_L, extends in the lowernon-display area NDA_D, and is connected with first data line DL1through the second connector CP1 b.

The first data line DL1 connected with the first crack detecting lineCD1 may be connected with the second-second test signal line CLB. Oneend of the first crack detecting line CD1 may be connected with theinput terminal of the second switch Q2 through the first connector CP1a.

The first crack detecting line CD1 may include an even number of aplurality of wiring portion units UL. The plurality of wiring portionunits UL may be connected to one another through a plurality of unitconnectors UC.

Each of the wiring portion units UL includes a plurality of returnwiring portions RL (e.g., shown in FIG. 3). Each return wiring portionRL may include a first bridge portion BL1, a second bridge portion BL2,and a connecting portion CL connecting the first bridge portion BL1 andthe second bridge portion BL2. The first bridge portion BL1 and thesecond bridge portion BL2 may extend in a first direction D1. Forexample, the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2may extend in a direction that is parallel to a direction of an adjacentside PS among a plurality of sides of the substrate SUB. The firstbridge portion BL1 and second bridge portion BL2 positioned in the leftnon-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB extend in a first directionD1 parallel to aa left side PS_L of the substrate SUB. The connectingportion CL connecting the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridgeportion BL2 extending in the first direction D1 may extend in a seconddirection D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. In addition, thefirst bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2 positioned inthe upper non-display area NDA_U of the substrate SUB may extend in thesecond direction D2 parallel to an upper side PS_U of the substrate SUB.The connecting portion CL connecting the first bridge portion BL1 andthe second bridge portion BL2 extending in the second direction D2 mayextend in a first direction D1 perpendicular to the second direction D2.

The connecting portion CL is shorter than the first bridge portion BL1and the second bridge portion BL2. Each wiring portion unit UL includesa plurality of return wiring portions RL, which are each disposed sideby side and connected with one another. The first bridge portion BL1 andthe second bridge portion BL2 may be substantially a same length as eachother, and the plurality of first bridge portions BL1 and the pluralityof second bridge portions BL2 included in one wiring portion unit UL maybe substantially a same length as one another. Further, a first intervalRI, which is an interval between return wiring portions RL among theplurality of return wiring portions RL, may be smaller than a secondinterval UI, which is an interval between the wiring portion units UL.

The plurality of wiring portion units UL are connected with one anotherthrough the plurality of unit connectors UC. The unit connector UC has ashape of a straight line, which is not bent, and connects two wiringportion units UL. The plurality of unit connectors UC extends in adirection that is parallel to a nearest side PS among a plurality ofsides of the substrate SUB. For example, the unit connector UCpositioned in the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUBextends in the first direction D1 which extends parallel to a left sidePS_L of the substrate SUB. Further, the unit connector UC may extend ina direction that is parallel to a direction in which the plurality offirst bridge portions BL1 and the plurality of second bridge portionsBL2, which are included in wiring portion units UL connected by the unitconnector UC, extend.

The number of return wiring portions RL included in each wiring portionunit UL may be different. The number of return wiring portions RL maydecrease around the first area A, in which constituent elements otherthan crack detecting lines, such as an alignment mark, may bepositioned. For example, the number of return wiring portions RLincluded in the wiring portion unit UL positioned to the right (e.g.,along the second direction D2) of the first area A may be smaller thanthe number of return wiring portions RL included in the first wiringportion unit UL not positioned to the right of the first area A. Inother words, the wiring portion units UL positioned between the firstarea A and the display area DA have less return wiring portions RL thanthat of the wiring portion units UL positioned in other areas of thenon-display area NDA.

The plurality of first bridge portions BL1 and the plurality of secondbridge portions BL2 may have a bent shape along a corner of thesubstrate SUB.

The plurality of wiring portion units UL of the first crack detectingline CD1 may extend from the upper non-display area NDA_U of thesubstrate SUB, may extend through the left non-display area NDA_L of thesubstrate SUB, and may be disposed in the lower non-display area NDA_Dof the substrate SUB. For example, the plurality of wiring portion unitsUL of the first crack detecting line CD1 may be disposed to surround theleft circumference of the display area DA.

The second crack detecting line CD2 is connected with at least one ofthe plurality of data lines D through a third connector CP2 a or afourth connector CP2 b. The second crack detecting line CD2 is connectedwith the second data line DL2 among the plurality of data lines D, andthe second data line DL2 is connected with the plurality of pixelspositioned between a the connection of the second data line DL2 and thethird connector CP2 a and the connection of the second data line DL2 andthe fourth connector CP2 b. The second crack detecting line CD2 may beconnected with the second data line DL2 through the third connector CP2a in the upper non-display area NDA_U of the substrate SUB, and thesecond crack detecting line CD2 may be connected with the second dataline DL2 through the fourth connector CP2 b in the lower non-displayarea NDA_D of the substrate SUB. The second crack detecting line CD2extends from the third connector CP2 a connected to the second data lineDL2, passes through the right non-display area NDA_R, extends in thelower non-display area NDA_D, and is connected with the second data lineDL2 at the fourth connector CP2 b.

The second data line DL2 connected with the second crack detecting lineCD2 may be connected with the second-second test signal line CLB. Oneend of the second crack detecting line CD2 may be connected with theinput terminal of the second switch Q2 through the third connector CP2a.

The second crack detecting line CD2 may include an even number of aplurality of wiring portion units UL, like the first crack detectingline CD1, and the plurality of wiring portion units UL may be connectedto one another through the plurality of unit connector UC having a shapeof a straight line. Each of the wiring portion units UL includes theplurality of return wiring portions RL. Each the return wiring portionsRL may include the first bridge portion BL1, the second bridge portionBL2, and the connecting portion CL connecting the first bridge portionBL1 and the second bridge portion BL2. Further, a first interval RI,which is an interval between return wiring portions RL among theplurality of return wiring portions RL, may be smaller than a secondinterval UI, which is an interval between the wiring portion units UL.

In addition, the disposition shape of the second crack detecting lineCD2 is symmetrical with the disposition shape of the first crackdetecting line CD1. The plurality of wiring portion units UL of thesecond crack detecting line CD2 may extend from the upper non-displayarea NDA_U portion of the substrate SUB, may extend through the rightnon-display area NDA_R of the substrate SUB, and may be disposed in thelower non-display area NDA_D of the substrate SUB. For example, theplurality of wiring portion units UL of the second crack detecting lineCD2 may be disposed to surround the right circumference of the displayarea DA.

While an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed above, the scope of the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the present invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements. For example, in FIG. 2, thenon-display area NDA may be disposed to surround the display area DA,but the non-display area NDA may be disposed to partially surround thedisplay area DA. For example, the NDA may surround part of theperipheral region. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the displayarea DA has a shape of a quadrangle, the non-display area NDA may bepositioned near at least one side of the four sides of the display areaDA. Further, the first crack detecting line CD1 and/or the second crackdetecting line CD2 may be positioned in at least a portion of thenon-display area NDA.

Further, the first crack detecting line CD1 and the second crackdetecting line CD2 might not be formed separately, but the first crackdetecting line CD1 or the second crack detecting line CD2 may bepositioned to surround the entire display area DA. In this case, thefirst crack detecting line CD1 may extend from the first connector CP1 aconnected with the data line D at the upper non-display area NDA_U ofthe substrate SUB, extend through the left non-display area NDA_L of thesubstrate SUB, the lower non-display area NDA_D of the substrate SUB,and the right non-display area NDA_R of the substrate SUB to surroundthe display area DA, and may return to the upper non-display area NDA_Uof the substrate SUB to be connected with the data line D through thesecond connector CP1 b. In an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the second connector CP1 b may be positioned in the uppernon-display area NDA_U when the first crack detecting line CD1 or thesecond crack detecting line CD2 surround the entire display area DA.

Further, the display device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may include more than two crack detecting lines CD1and CD2.

In addition, the present invention may be applied to various displaydevices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic lightemitting display (OLED) device, and so on.

Further, when the display device of the present invention includes asealing portion to seal the display area DA and cover the substrate SUBwith the plurality of pixels R, G, and B interposed therebetween.Further, the first crack detecting line CD1 and the second crackdetecting line CD2 may be positioned in a portion of the non-displayarea NDA of the substrate SUB in which the sealing portion might notpositioned. For example, the first crack detecting line CD1 and thesecond crack detecting line CD2 may be positioned outside of the sealingportion and in the non-display area NDA.

Hereafter, the operation of the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 1 and FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of a signal of a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

When a gate ON signal is applied to the first test gate line TEST_GATEduring a first time H1, the plurality of first switches Q1 connectedwith the plurality of data lines D are turned on, and thus, a firstsignal V1 applied to the first test signal line TEST_DATA1 is applied tothe plurality of data lines D. For example, the first signal V1 may be asignal to make the plurality of pixels R, G, and B produce a whitecolor, and the first signal V1 is applied to the plurality of data linesD such that the plurality of pixels R, G, and B may produce the whitecolor.

When the gate ON signal is applied to the second test gate line DC_GATEduring a second time H2, which is also when a gate OFF signal is appliedto the first test gate line TEST_GATE, the second switch Q2 connectedwith the plurality of data lines D is turned on, and thus, a secondsignal V2 applied to the plurality of second test signal lines CLA, CLB,and CLC is applied to the plurality of data lines D. For example, thesecond signal V2 may be a signal to make the plurality of pixels R, G,and B produce a black color, and the second signal V2 is applied to theplurality of data lines D such that the plurality of pixels R, G, and Bproduce the black color.

In this case, if the crack is generated in the non-display area NDApositioned at a peripheral region of the display area DA by applying anexternal impact to the display device, the first crack detecting lineCD1 or the second crack detecting line CD2 may be damaged.

Accordingly, a resistance of the first data line DL1 or the second dataline DL2 connected with the first crack detecting line CD1 or the secondcrack detecting line CD2 is increased, and thus, a voltage V_T appliedto the pixel connected with the first crack detecting line CD1 or thesecond crack detecting line CD2 cannot be charged to the second signalV2, and a voltage difference ΔV between the second signal V2 and thevoltage V_T is generated.

By generating the voltage difference ΔV, the pixel connected with thefirst crack detecting line CD1 or the second crack detecting line CD2cannot produce the black color, and the pixel may produce a relativelybrighter color. Accordingly, the crack which may be generated in thenon-display area NDA adjacent to the edge of the display area DA may bedetectable.

Hereafter, the effect of the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 and compared to a comparativeexample. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic views showing a crack detectingline CD of a display device according to the comparative example.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the first crack detecting line CD1is formed to include a plurality of wiring portion units UL, as shown inFIG. 2, an electrostatic discharge ESD due to a potential difference maybe reduced compared to a case when there is one wiring portion unit ULso that the return wiring portion RL returns when in the leftnon-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB in one arrangement of thecrack detecting lines (e.g., CD1 and CD2). For example, when the firstcrack detecting line CD1 is made of one wiring portion unit UL, thelength of the first bridge portion BL1 becomes longer by the one side PSof the substrate SUB, and thus, the potential difference between bothends of the first bridge portion BL may be increased. By disposingreturn wiring portions RL having this potential difference side by side,the potential difference may be progressively generated in the firstcrack detecting line CD1. Since there is the potential difference in thereturn wiring portions RL adjacent to each other at the first crackdetecting line CD1, the electrostatic discharge ESD may be generatedbetween the adjacent portions of the return wiring portions RL (e.g.,first bridge portion BL1, second bridge portion BL2, and connectingportion CL). If the electrostatic discharge ESD is generated, a burntphenomenon in which the perimeter of the portion generating theelectrostatic discharge ESD is burned black may be generated, and theaccuracy of the crack detection by the crack detecting line may bereduced. However, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the first crackdetecting line CD1 is formed to include a plurality of wiring portionunits UL, the length of the first bridge portion BL1 is shorter thanwhen the first crack detecting line CD1 is made of one wiring portionunit UL, so that the potential difference between both ends of the firstbridge portion BL1 may be reduced. Accordingly, the potential differencein portions of the return wiring portion RL that are adjacent to eachother at the first crack detecting line CD1 may be reduced, and thus,the electrostatic discharge ESD may be reduced between the adjacentportions of the return wiring portion RL. When the second crackdetecting line CD2 is formed to include a plurality of wiring portionunits UL, the effect is essentially the same as when the first crackdetecting line CD1 has a plurality of wiring portion units UL.

Further, as the unit connector UC connected between the wiring portionunits UL is formed to have a shape of the straight line, theelectrostatic discharge between the unit connector UC and the wiringportion unit UL adjacent to the unit connector UC may be reduced. Whenthe unit connector UC is bent and is positioned across the wiringportion unit UL, the potential difference may be generated between theunit connector UC and the wiring portion unit UL adjacent to the unitconnector UC so that the electrostatic discharge may be generated. Forexample, when the unit connector UC extends parallel to the connectingportions CL of the wiring portion unit UL, the potential difference maybe generated. However, when the unit connector UC is formed to have ashape of the straight line, and not formed across the wiring portionunit UL, the generation of the electrostatic discharge between the unitconnector UC and the wiring portion unit UL adjacent to the unitconnector UC may be prevented. When the number of wiring portion unitsUL is an even number, the unit connector UC may be formed to have ashape of the straight line without a bent portion, and the secondinterval UI between the wiring portion units UL may be larger than thefirst interval RI between the return wiring portions RL, so that theelectrostatic discharge between the wiring portion units UL may befurther reduced. Accordingly, the reliability of the crack detectingline and the display device may be increased.

Next, the comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. 5and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of the crack detecting line CDpositioned at the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. Thecrack detecting line CD of the comparative example includes one wiringportion unit UL. The wiring portion unit UL includes a plurality offirst bridge portions BL1 and a plurality of second bridge portions BL2extending in the first direction D1 parallel to the left side PS_L ofthe substrate SUB. As shown in FIG. 5, when the crack detecting line CDis made of one wiring portion unit UL such that one of the return wiringportions RL returns when at the left non-display area NDA_L of thesubstrate SUB, the length of the first bridge portion BL1 may becomelonger by the left side PS_L of the substrate SUB. Accordingly, thepotential difference between both ends of the first bridge portion BL1may be increased. By disposing return wiring portions RL having thispotential difference side by side, the potential difference may beprogressively generated in the crack detecting line CD. Due to thepotential difference in the crack detecting line CD, as shown in FIG. 5,the electrostatic discharge ESD may be generated between the adjacentportions of the wiring portion unit UL. If the electrostatic dischargeESD is generated, a burnt phenomenon, in which the perimeter of theportion generated the electrostatic discharge ESD is burned black may begenerated, and the accuracy of crack detection by the crack detectingline CD may be reduced. The position of the electrostatic discharge ESDshown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the electrostatic dischargecan be generated in a position of the crack detecting line CD other thanthe position shown in FIG. 5 as long as the potential difference isgenerated.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of the crack detecting line CD positioned atthe left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. The number ofwiring portion units UL of the comparative example is an odd number. Thewiring portion units UL include a plurality of the first bridge portionsBL1 and a plurality of the second bridge portions BL2 which respectivelyextend in the first direction D1 parallel to the left side PS_L of thesubstrate SUB, but the unit connector UC connecting the wiring portionunits UL has a bent shape, and is positioned across the wiring portionunits UL. For example, the unit connector may be positioned to extendparallel to connection portions CL of the wiring portion unit UL. Asshown in FIG. 6, the unit connector UC is bent and is positioned acrossthe wiring portion unit UL, and the potential difference is generatedbetween the unit connector UC and the wiring portion unit UL adjacent tothe unit connector UC so that the electrostatic discharge ESD isgenerated. Accordingly, a burnt phenomenon, in which the perimeter ofthe portion generated the electrostatic discharge ESD is burned blackmay be generated, and the crack detecting effect of the crack detectingline may be reduced. The position of the electrostatic discharge ESDshown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the electrostatic dischargeESD may be generated in a position of the crack detecting line CD otherthan the position shown in FIG. 6 as long as the potential difference isgenerated.

Hereafter, the crack detecting line CD1 of the display device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are schematicviews respectively showing a crack detecting line CD1 of a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Portions of the present exemplary embodiment that are similar toportions in the previous exemplary embodiments described above may beomitted.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of the first crack detecting line CD1positioned at the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. Thefirst crack detecting line CD1 includes an even number of wiring portionunits UL. The plurality of wiring portion units UL are connected to eachother through the unit connector UC which has a straight line shape andextends in the first direction D1 parallel to an extending direction ofa nearest left side PS_L among a plurality of sides of the substrateSUB. Each of the wiring portion units UL includes a plurality of returnwiring portions RL. The return wiring portions RL include a plurality offirst bridge portions BL1, a plurality of second bridge portions BL2,and a plurality of connecting portions CL connecting the first bridgeportions BL1 and the second bridge portions BL2 to each other. The firstbridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2 extend in the firstdirection D1 parallel to an extending direction of a nearest left sidePS_L among a plurality of sides of the substrate SUB. The connectingportion CL extends in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the firstbridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2. The connectingportion CL is shorter than the first bridge portion BL1 and the secondbridge portion BL2. The lengths of the return wiring portions RLadjacent to each other may be different. Further, the lengths of thereturn wiring portions RL facing each other may be different. Thelengths of the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portionBL2 in one return wiring portion RL may be different.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of the first crack detecting line CD1positioned at the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. FIG.8 shows an arrangement of the first crack detecting line CD1 when thenon-display area does not include an area in which constituent elementsother than crack detecting lines, such as an alignment mark or otherwires, are positioned. The first crack detecting line CD1 includes aneven number of wiring portion units UL. The plurality of wiring portionunits UL are connected to each other through the unit connector UC whichhas a straight line shape and extends in the first direction D1 parallelto an extending direction of a nearest left side PS_L among a pluralityof sides of the substrate SUB. The plurality of first bridge portionsBL1 and the plurality of second bridge portions BL2 extend in the firstdirection parallel to an extending direction of a nearest left side PS_Lamong a plurality of sides of the substrate SUB, and the plurality offirst bridge portions BL1 and the plurality of second bridge portionsBL2 may all have the same length. For example, the plurality of firstbridge portions BL1 and the plurality of second bridge portions BL2 mayhave the same length, since there is no area to be avoided.

Hereafter, the crack detecting line of the display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are schematic viewsrespectively showing a crack detecting line of a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Portions of the present exemplaryembodiment that are similar to portions in the previous exemplaryembodiments described above may be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of the first crack detecting line CD1positioned at the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. Thefirst crack detecting line CD1 includes a plurality of return wiringportions RL. The return wiring portions RL include the first bridgeportion BL1, the second bridge portion BL2, and the connecting portionCL connecting the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portionBL2 to each other. The first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridgeportion BL2 extend in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the firstdirection D1 parallel to an extending direction of a nearest left sidePS_L among a plurality of sides of the substrate SUB. The connectingportion CL extends in the first direction D1 perpendicular to the firstbridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2. The lengths of thefirst bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2 may be same.The connecting portion CL is shorter than the first bridge portion BL1and the second bridge portion BL2. When the first bridge portion BL1 andthe second bridge portion BL2 extend in the direction perpendicular tothe first direction D1 parallel to an extending direction of a nearestleft side PS_L among a plurality of sides of the substrate SUB, theplurality of return wiring portions RL having a same shape may berepeatedly positioned. At the first area A in which constituent elementsother than crack detecting lines, such as an alignment mark, arepositioned, the lengths of the first bridge portion BL1 and the secondbridge portion BL2 may be decreased. The plurality of return wiringportions RL may be positioned at regular intervals.

FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of the first crack detecting line CD1positioned at the left non-display area NDA_L of the substrate SUB. Thefirst crack detecting line CD1 includes a plurality of return wiringportions RL. The return wiring portions RL include the first bridgeportion BL1, the second bridge portion BL2, and the connecting portionCL connecting the first bridge portion BL and the second bridge portionBL2 to each other. The first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridgeportion BL2 extend in a direction forming an angle of about 90 degreesor about 45 degrees with the first direction D1 parallel to an extendingdirection of a nearest left side PS_L among a plurality of sides of thesubstrate SUB. The connecting portion CL extends in a directionperpendicular to the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridgeportion BL2. The lengths of the first bridge portion BL1 and the secondbridge portion BL2 may be same. The connecting portion CL is shorterthan the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2.When the first bridge portion BL1 and the second bridge portion BL2extend in a direction forming an angle of about 90 degrees or about 45degrees with the first direction D1 parallel to an extending directionof a nearest left side PS_L among a plurality of sides of the substrateSUB, the plurality of return wiring portions RL having a same shape maybe repeatedly positioned. The return wiring portions RL may not bepositioned at the first area A in which constituent elements other thancrack detecting lines, such as an alignment mark, are positioned. Theplurality of return wiring portions RL may be positioned at regularintervals.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, bydetecting the crack of the display device, defects in the display devicecaused by the crack may be reduced.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a substratecomprising a display area for displaying an image and a non-display areapositioned at a peripheral region of the display area, wherein thesubstrate further comprises a plurality of sides including a first sideand a second side connected to the first side to form a first corner; aplurality of pixels positioned at the display area of the substrate; aplurality of data lines connected with the plurality of pixels; and acrack detecting line positioned at the non-display area of thesubstrate, wherein the crack detecting line comprises: a plurality ofunit connectors extending in a first direction, the first directionbeing parallel to an extending direction of a nearest side among theplurality of sides of the substrate; and a plurality of wiring portionunits connected to each other through the plurality of unit connectors,wherein the plurality of wiring portion units comprise a plurality offirst wiring portion units and a second wiring portion unit, wherein theplurality of first wiring portion units comprise a plurality of firstreturn wiring portions connected to each other, and the plurality offirst return wiring portions comprise a plurality of first bridgeportions extending in the first direction, wherein the unit connectorsare not formed across the wiring portion units, wherein the secondwiring portion unit of the plurality of wiring portion units extendsparallel to the first side of the substrate and bends at the firstcorner of the substrate to extend parallel to the second side of thesubstrate, wherein the second wiring portion unit includes a pluralityof second return wiring portions including a plurality of second bridgeportions bent at the first corner, a plurality of third bridge portionsbent at the first corner, a plurality of first connecting portions, anda plurality of second connecting portions, wherein the first and secondconnecting portions connect the second bridge portions to the thirdbridge portions, the first connecting portions extend substantiallyparallel to the first side, and the second connecting portions extendsubstantially parallel to the second side.
 2. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the unit connectors are parallel to the data lines. 3.The display device of claim 1, wherein the unit connectors arealternatively disposed on the side closer to the nearest side of thesubstrate and on the side closer to the center of the substrate withrespect to the wiring portion units.
 4. The display device of claim 1,wherein the crack detecting line is positioned to surround the displayarea of the substrate.
 5. The display device of claim 4, wherein thecrack detecting line is formed such that a portion adjacent to one sideof the substrate and a portion adjacent to the opposite side of thesubstrate are symmetrical to each other.
 6. The display device of claim4, wherein the second wiring portion unit has a bent shape along thefirst corner of the substrate at a portion connecting the portion of thecrack detecting line adjacent to the first side of the substrate and theportion of the crack detecting line adjacent to the second side of thesubstrate.
 7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality offirst return wiring portions comprise a plurality of connecting portionsconnecting the plurality of first bridge portions and being shorter thanthe plurality of first bridge portions.
 8. The display device of claim7, wherein the crack detecting line is connected with a first data lineamong the plurality of data lines.
 9. The display device of claim 8,wherein the crack detecting line is connected with the first data linethrough a first connector and a second connector, and the first dataline is connected with the plurality of pixels between a portionconnected with the first connector and a portion connected with thesecond connector.
 10. The display device of claim 8, wherein a secondinterval between the plurality of first wiring portion units is largerthan a first interval between the plurality of first return wiringportions.
 11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the plurality offirst bridge portions have a same length as each other.
 12. The displaydevice of claim 10, wherein the first interval between the plurality offirst return wiring portions is substantially constant.
 13. The displaydevice of claim 10, wherein at least two first wiring portion units ofthe plurality of first wiring portion units comprise an equal number offirst return wiring portions.
 14. The display device of claim 10,wherein the plurality of second bridge portions and the plurality ofthird bridge portions have a bent shape along the first corner of thesubstrate at the first corner of the substrate.
 15. The display deviceof claim 1, wherein a first unit connector of the plurality of unitconnectors is directly connected between a first first wiring portionunit of the plurality of wiring portion units and a second first wiringportion unit of the plurality of wiring portion units to connect thefirst first wiring portion unit and second first wiring portion unit toeach other.
 16. The display device of claim 1, wherein the secondconnecting portions extend in a direction different from that of thefirst connecting portions, and a first second bridge portion of theplurality of second bridge portions is connected to a unit connector ofthe plurality of unit connectors.